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MASONIC BIOGRAPHY

SKETCHES OF EMINENT FREE MASONS

______

When a Roman matron of former days was asked for

her jewels, she pointed to her sons ; and there is no reason

why Freemasonry may not do the same. The time was, and

within the memory of men not yet far advanced in years,

that, to be a Freemason, was to be suspected of, and charged

with being an enemy to and a sinner against social order,

capable of any moral or political dereliction, and unworthy

the confidence and respect of community. In some places

they were refused Christian fellowship, and considered as

guilty of offenses that would exclude them from heaven.

They were distrusted in political organizations, as conspirators

against the peace and welfare of the nation. They

were scorned in social circles, as unfit for respectable society,

because they were members of the obnoxious Order; and

they were sometimes prevented from sitting as jurors in

courts of justice, because suspected of a want of integrity,

and even of disregarding the obligations of an oath. And

all this, it was charged, was the legitimate fruit of Freemasonry.

Men even of the purest morals, and of the highest

pocial position, were arraigned as criminals, and threatened

with imprisonment, as common felons, if they did not at

once abjure Freemasonry, and reveal all they knew of its

" secrets!"

That time has passed, much of the prejudice against the

Order has subsided, and reason has resumed its control over

public sentiment. It is, therefore, a proper time for Freemasonry

to be heard in its own defense, and to justify its

claims to public regard. This, it is believed it can best do

by pointing to those of its members whose private characters

and public services will be a sufficient refutation of the

false charges against the Order. Their purity of life, their

incorruptible integrity, their virtue and patriotism, will be

the best defense of Masonry.

It is intended, therefore, by the publication of this volume,

to remind the Order and the public of the great names

which have adorned our history, and of the "good and true"

men who have deemed it no dishonor to be numbered in

our ranks. These were our brethren—"our jewels; " their

blameless and useful lives furnish an example for our living

members ; and from their honored graves there comes a voice

in defense of an Institution they loved and honored while

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